Monday, April 26, 2010
Principal and PTA Excited!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Just ask.
Just Ask!
The No. 1 reason people state they are not PTA members
is that they have never been asked.
The only wrong way to ask people to join
is not to ask at all!
Events and Free Food are the KEY!
"Our PTA is not very big – as the second language parents are often hesitant to participate. When we do want a lot of parent participation in an event, we offer free food or giveaways. We always have a Spanish translator at events (usually a teacher or aide from the school) and letters are sent home in multiple languages. The other languages are left to their own. The programs I run, like the clothing give-away, book swaps and holiday toy drive, are run by teachers/staff for the benefit of the community, but the community is not involved in the working part."
Though the reading specialist is not boasting a particularly large PTA, I really like some of the ideas about free food and giveways, book swaps, give aways, toy drives, etc. I hate to say it, but these things motivate people. I would love if every parent was able to come to every meeting. But that is not realistic. I know how people feel at the end of the workday. They want to get home and get on with their lives. I myself have only been to a handful of meetings. To get them into the routine of going, they are going to need something to motivate them. This was the same feedback that I got from the former PTA president at my school.
What do you think? Would you come for a free hot dinner? What about a new book for your child?
Parent Interview: "PTA should be the bridge organization for the teachers and parents."
Interview with PTA Vice President
Some of her ideas:
*Breakfast meetings with parents and teachers
*Invite parents into the classroom to share a talent or a skill they may have
*Have "family day" either for your classroom or school. Invite parents to bring a favorite dish to share.
*Tie into existing school events--training on how to use the online portal to view student grades
*Have a Dance/Family night to involve students and parents
*Invite parents to come to existing events like Field Day to volunteer
*Create t-shirts with class "goals" on the back--so parents can see the type of goals the school has for their child
We talked about how families are essential to developing multi-cultural education she really had a great point---how can we expect kids to be comfortable in their schools and classrooms if their parents aren't even comfortable coming into the school and interacting with staff? She made the point that the family/school relationship is very necessary for children to also feel comfortable.
Devil's Advocate
“PTA general sessions can suffer from certain of shortcomings if not handled right – for instance:
· Rushing by the teacher, who wants to dispatch the session, because he/she is either too busy or is uncomfortable facing parents
· Parents who raise a topic of very narrow interest (even “rathole” the conversation about their kid in particular) during a session of common interest
· Superficial feedback by teachers so preoccupied with child’s self-esteem that educational outcomes are glossed over
In that context, one-on-one parental sessions can be far more specific, and address multiculturalism if parents are exposed to how their child reacts to others’ points of views and behaviors, and is tuned to the misconceptions and biases that the parents themselves bring about. It will thus help parents to understand that their attitudes/behaviors/values get imprinted on their children, unconsciously not just deliberately.”
Interesting to see how PTA meetings may be a way to open the door to communication with parents, but one-on-one meetings are still one of the best ways to gain information about students and their families.
Safety Concerns
"I have only attended one PTA meeting at this school--so I am not very informed on what the PTA does. I have not attended enough meetings to know if our PTA embraces diversity."
In response to "What would you like to see in the PTA at our school?" She responded:
"As a parent that has had several safety issues at this school, I would like for them to try to reinforce the importance of the staff following all rules when it comes to releasing our kids as far ask asking for ID and verifying that they person is who they say they are."
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Interview with a Fellow Teacher
Monday, March 22, 2010
PTA-An American Tradition?
Parent Interview in Spanish
Progress of Our Children
Have you been to a PTA meeting? Do you know what PTA is and does at our school?
Yes, the PTA is the parent teacher association meeting where important discussion and information is exchanged for the progress of our children.
Shirley Igo, the National PTA President claims, "Now more than ever, the PTA has to be an organization that, not only welcomes, but also embraces diversity." Do you feel that is true of the PTA at your school?
Yes.
What would you like to see at the PTA at your school?
More of the same thing for the progress of our children.
New parents left in the dark
Have you been to a PTA meeting? Do you know what PTA is and does?
No, I don't have any idea.
She did not answer the other questions on the form:
Shirley Igo, the National PTA President claims, "Now more than ever, PTA has to be an organization that, not only welcomes, but also embraces diversity." Do you feel this is true of the PTA?
What would you like to see at the PTA at this school?
I think this is truly a missed opportunity for the PTA and the school community to embrace a foreign culture. This family has very recently joined the school community and it would be beneficial for the family, the student and the school community if we were able to embrace their culture and welcome them into their new setting.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Teacher Liaison to PTA... only 6 parents attend
Are meetings well attended?
Our meeting are not well attended. We average about 6 parents per meeting, sometimes Carlie is there. So no there is no good mix of faculty and parents.
What does PTA at Excel Academy do?
What does PTA do? Overall they present an open forum for parents to share questions and concerns. They also take parent feedback and take it to our school leadership team with future school events and fundraiser ideas. For example, at the meeting in January, lots of parents wanted to see the black history month presentations.
What are the goals of PTA?
As far as what PTA goals are: If there in writing I haven’t seen them, but I feel their goal is build a better line of communication between the school and its parents. As far as goals for the year I don’t know them.
Shirley Igo, the National PTA president claims, "Now more than ever, PTA has to be an organization that, not only welcomes, but also embraces diversity." Do you feel this is true of the PTA at Excel Academy?
Shirley Igo quote: I feel that the quote is more about embracing race, PTA isn’t really a race thing, it’s more of an idea forum. So no I don’t feel this is true of Excel’s PTA.
What would you like to see in the PTA at Excel Academy?
I would like to see more parents attend meeting. I also feel that PTA needs to host some school events. I think a lot of parents don’t know who they are because they don’t do anything but hold meetings.
Parent Interview... Need more parents.
Have you been to a PTA meeting? Do you know what PTA is and does at Excel Academy? Yes, I have attended PTA at Excel. Yes, I know what PTA is and does at Excel.
Parent Interview... Yes.
Have you been to a PTA meeting? Do you know what PTA is and does at Excel Academy? Yes I have and yes I do.
Parent Interview... Please have meetings when parents can attend
Have you been to a PTA meeting? Do you know what PTA is and does at Excel Academy? No, I have not. Yes, I do.
Parent Interview... I am the treasurer.
Have you been to a PTA meeting? Do you know what PTA is and does at Excel Academy? Yes. I am the treasurer of Excel Academy PTA. I attend almost every meeting.
Shirley Igo, the National PTA president claims, "Now more than ever, PTA has be an organization that, not only welcomes, but also embraces diversity." Do you feel this is true of the PTA at Excel Academy? Yes, as much as the school is diversified.
What would you like to see in the PTA at Excel Academy? I would like to see more parent involvement.
Parent Interview... Maybe in the spring.
Have you been to a PTA meeting? Do you know what PTA is and does at Excel Academy? I have been to a PTA meeting before, not at Excel Academy. But I do plan on attending one in the spring.
Shirley Igo, the National PTA president claims, "Now more than ever, PTA has be an organization that, not only welcomes, but also embraces diversity." Do you feel this is true of the PTA at Excel Academy? I think diversity is good to have because everyone there has opinions.
What would you like to see in the PTA at Excel Academy? No comment.
Parent Interview... More parent involvement
Have you been to a PTA meeting? Do you know what PTA is and does at Excel Academy? Yes, I have. I know that PTA is an association of parents and teachers that come together to help make decisions that can help make the school year run smooth or better.
Parent Interview... Short and sweet.
Have you been to a PTA meeting? Do you know what PTA is and does at Excel Academy? No. Yes.
Shirley Igo, the National PTA president claims, "Now more than ever, PTA has be an organization that, not only welcomes, but also embraces diversity." Do you feel this is true of the PTA at Excel Academy? Yes.
What would you like to see in the PTA at Excel Academy? More parent involvement.